THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Saturday, September 30, 1995 TAG: 9509300320
SECTION: LOCAL PAGE: B5 EDITION: NORTH CAROLINA
DATELINE: OUTER BANKS LENGTH: Short : 42 lines
The Joint Commission on Governmental Operations has approved State Parks improvement projects in three northeastern North Carolina parks, supported by Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight. Funding for these projects was provided by $10 million earmarked for state parks in the 1995-96 state budget.
``For many years, North Carolina has invested well below the national average in our state park system,'' Basnight said. This year we dedicated the deed-stamp transfer funds for state parks and the Natural Heritage Trust Fund, something I had sought to accomplish since the 1980s. Those funds will mean nearly $16 million annually for state parks beginning next year.''
The projects:
Pettigrew State Park: Land acquisition: $175,000. This 90-acre acquisition will provide the land needed to develop visitor facilities in the park's revised master plan. These facilities, planned for future development, will include a visitor center and a tent/trailer campground.
Another $70,000 was allocated for water system improvements.
Merchants Millpond State Park: Road to picnic area: $198,000 (cost adjustment to bond project).
When bids were returned for the picnic area bond project, there was not enough money for the road. The entrance road is needed to gain access to the picnic area.
Failure to bid the road as part of the entire project or to have it in place prior to the picnic area construction will affect the contractor's interest and increase construction costs.
Jockeys Ridge State Park: Construction permits and parking lot: $280,000. During the investigative phase of this project, the state is required to pay impact and review fees to Nags Head, and is also required to provide a six-inch water main and a fire hydrant to a central park location.
The existing parking lots often are filled to capacity. by CNB